I was delighted to attend the launch of Paul Flynn’s new book in conjunction with Lidl last week, and to get my hands on a copy of the book. The launch was held in one of the most beautiful venues I’ve ever been in, No 10 Ormond Quay in Dublin City Centre. The completely renovated Georgian building is an oasis of calm and style in the heart of the city.
Having read recommendations for years I ate at The Tannery in Dungarvan, run by Paul and his wife Máire, for the first time two years ago and vowed immediately to return. The food was excellent, perfectly paired flavours, like his signature crab creme brulee.
Last year I attended a cookery course in the Tannery Cookery School, a pre baby treat. The course was presented by Paul himself and his love of food was clear, as was his desire to get people cooking. He taught us practical tips and used ingredients that we recognised, identifying that he’s there not to scare people but to get them cooking. I cooked up a storm with the frozen pastry we used to make the tarte tatin and learned so much in the two day course.
The Flynns have two have two young daughters, so Paul gets the family food concept, he lives it. In the book he talks about the importance of all sitting down together at the table. something that I consider so important, a place to check in with the kids (between mopping up spilled juice and getting the “right” fork and more kitchen roll) at the end of the day.
That’s the beauty of this cookbook. You don’t need a dictionary to find out what the ingredients are, they’re all available in your local Lidl store. You might be surprised to find chicken stock cubes, tinned sweetcorn, baked beans or precooked chicken slices on the ingredients lists, but they’re there.
The book itself is beautifully produced, hardback and fully of gorgeous photographs and cool graphics- I particularly loved the Flavour combos graphics in the early chapters. If anything, the photos are too nice, there’s no way I could make the dishes look as good! With chapters including “No Time” “Take your Time” and “Family Time” the book provides a great repertoire of meals for different occasions.
Recipe wise I got to taste some of the dishes at the launch, and I’ll definitely be making the crayfish and avocado in lettuce wraps and the chorizo bites soon. I’ve made the baked fusili with tomato, cream and chorizo and it was an instant hit here, and enjoyed by all the family.
I’ve bookmarked the sweet potato gratin, crunchy chicken goujons (using crisps), cod and potato pie and corn chowder as recipes that I think will go down well in my house.
There’s nothing budget about the book, it’s beautifully produced and put together. If anything, it’s too beautiful as I’d definitely struggle to make my meals look as well. It’s the taste that counts though, right? Right??
When I saw Paul’s book I knew that it would appeal to Bumbles of Rice readers so I asked the nice people at Lidl for one for my readers (i wasn’t going to part with mine) and I’m delighted that they came up trumps 🙂
To win a copy of Paul Flynn’s Family Food- Favourite Recipes cooked with Lidl ingredients enter the competition on the link below. (Please note that the competition is only open to residents of the Republic of Ireland).
Or if you can’t wait til the competition ends it’s available now from Lidl stores at €12.99 while stocks last and would make a brilliant Mother’s Day present.
Disclosure: I attended the launch as a guest of Lidl and received a copy of the book and a copy for this competition from them. I have not received any payment for my review and my views are my own.
